Liverpool vs Blackburn Rovers preview - Dalglish happy with Spearing's attitude

Posted Monday, December 26, 2011 by PA

Liverpool manager Kenny Dalglish will welcome Jay Spearing back into his squad after suspension by telling the combative midfielder not to change his game.

The 23-year-old was sent off against Fulham earlier this month after he cleanly won the ball in a tackle with Moussa Dembele but caught the forward with an exaggerated follow-through.

His sending-off provoked a furious response from his team-mates and landed the club with a Football Association misconduct charge for failing to ensure their players conducted themselves in an orderly fashion.

Spearing's return adds greater defensive stability to the squad in the season-long absence of Lucas Leiva, who has been sidelined after cruciate knee surgery.

Dalglish is delighted to have the academy graduate's combative qualities at his disposal again and sees no reason for the player to tone down his approach.

"There was no maliciousness in his tackle. He was totally focused on winning the ball," said the Scot ahead of the Boxing Day visit of bottom-side Blackburn. "He did win the ball but his momentum came through and made contact with Dembele.

"It was maybe over-enthusiasm but that is not something you'd complain about in football - at that age you'd expect him to be.

"I'm sure he'll be more knowledgeable for his experience but there is nothing he needs to change greatly.

"Everybody's character is different but character is what makes you successful - and the wee man has certainly been successful here.

"We don't intend - or need to - change the boy's character. He just needs to be a bit more mature and I'm sure the three games (suspension) has taught him that."

Dalglish said, with a packed festive programme ahead, Spearing's enforced rest may turn out to be a positive as he looks to rotate the squad.

"It was disappointing to lose him because he was doing really well," said the Reds boss. "He's served his punishment and maybe that's an advantage with the games coming quite quickly.

"But he's got nothing to prove to us - we know what Jay can do, we know what he's about and he's done very well for us in the past.

"There is no reason to think he's not going to do well in the future."

Dalglish, his coaching team and the club's medical staff will keep a watchful eye on the players as they prepare for a run of nine matches in 36 days up until the end of January.

But the manager will not be looking beyond Monday's fixture as he looks for the side to get back to winning ways after a goalless draw at Wigan on Wednesday.

"Every game is a pivotal point and for us it's important we get as much as we can from every game, whether that comes within three days or 10 days of each other doesn't make any difference," he said.

"We have a busy schedule of games which demands a very strong squad and I think we've got that."

Blackburn boss Steve Kean is confident under-fire owners Venky's will provide the money for much-needed defensive reinforcements in the January transfer window.

Many people expected conversations between executives of the Indian company and their manager this week to centre around Kean's position, but not so according to the man himself.

Instead, the Scot presented his list of transfer targets to help relieve an injury crisis that has robbed him of Ryan Nelsen, Scott Dann, Martin Olsson and Gael Givet, while goalkeeper Paul Robinson is also a doubt for the clash at Liverpool.

Weakness in defence has been at the centre of Blackburn's struggles and they have failed to keep a clean sheet all season, shipping 38 goals in 17 games.

"We spoke about the transfer window and the need to get defenders in and just where we are," said Kean. "It was a very positive conversation. It wasn't a case where there was just positions discussed, it was names.

"I told them I think we can get these players and let's push on and get them in the early part of the window so we can have a good amount of bodies and good competition for places once the other lads get out of the treatment room.

"We talk about what I feel is the most important things. The conversations have mostly been about players' health and players coming in."

Although Liverpool are unbeaten at home this season, they have drawn five of their eight matches, including against Swansea and Norwich, and Kean sees no reason why Blackburn cannot follow suit.

He said: "It will be a really big ask for us to get something, but why not? Other teams have gone there this season not expecting to get anything and have come away with something, so there is a possibility to get a result."